Cycling is cool again

Cycling clubs across the city are making it a point to encourage Nashikites to take to the eco-friendly two-wheelers

| TNN | Jun 8, 2014, 00:00 IST

Cycling is cool again

Cycling clubs across the city are making it a point to encourage Nashikites to take to the eco-friendly two-wheelers
The weather may be as hot as ever, but that isn't stopping the city's cyclists from taking to the roads in droves. If you were out on the streets last Sunday, you might have caught sight of a group of helmet-clad, poster-bearing bicyclists, enthusiastically taking part in a rally to promote the sport and the use of eco-friendly two-wheelers.

This was the Nashik Cyclists' first rally, but the group plans to organise such events every week. "This Sunday, we will start from College Road, go past CBS and Shalimar and head to Trimbak Road. Our aim is to spread awareness about the importance of cycling. The biggest benefit is health, of course. But if you can stay fit and help the environment, then it's a double victory," says Vijay Ugale, founder and president of the club, who is greatly inspired by Deputy Commissioner of Police Harish Baijal, also an avid cyclist.

The Eco Ryders Club has been organising similar rallies in the city, during which they carry banners promoting the use of cycles. Mahendra Gharat, a member of the club, says they first began two years ago. "Every Sunday we leave our cars at home and travel by cycle to our office in Ambad," he reveals. Environmentalist Tejas Chavan's cycling group Eco-peddlers also supports and encourages cycling this way.

Join the club

The Nashik Cyclists club, which charges no membership fees, has a more-the-merrier policy and encourages everyone young, old or inexperienced to join their weekly rides. "We also go on rides to scenic places near the city. Last week we rode to Gangapur Dam and this Sunday we are planning to go towards Deolali Camp to a place called Bhagur. Anyone who wants to join the ride is welcome to meet us at the Golf Club at 6 am on Sunday morning," says 35-year-old Hrushikesh Wakadkar, who often rides his cycle to work. The software engineer is also in-charge of managing the group's online media accounts. The group, which has an active website and a Facebook page, stays in touch via their WhatsApp group. "Because of our growing membership, we've had to create a number of groups. WhatsApp after all only allows 50 people per group," smiles Ugale, who founded the club about a year and a half ago.

Ugale, who wants the city to be known for its cycling prowess, has also been making trips to colleges. "I began at Motiwala College, where I started talking to young boys. I tried to tell them how glamorous it could be and how it would impress girls. I think it worked," he says with a laugh.

The rush of the ride

In February, Nashik Cyclists organised the first-ever Peloton and Mini Peloton rides in Nashik. The national-level event saw 350 participants from across the country and was considered a huge success. "We plan to make it an annual affair," says Wakadkar. But for Hemant Agashe, who sometimes joins the cycling group on its excursions, it isn't the races that attract him. The "57-year-young" cyclist owns a Mountain Terrain Bike (MTB) and likes to take off to the mountains every now and then. Agashe, along with fellow environmentalist Bishwarup Raha, has cycled from Manali to Leh, Ladakh three times already. "Every morning I cycle to Pandavleni, climb the mountain and cycle back," he says, talking about his fitness regime.

"When I first began cycling 20 years ago, there was not even a single shop selling MTBs. I had to order mine from Delhi! But nowadays I see a lot of youngsters taking to the sport, which is wonderful," adds Agashe.

The proposed bicycle track on Trimbak Road is likely to help encourage cyclists in the city. Thrilled about the proposal, Ugale is sure it will be hugely popular. "It is being made at a great location, unlike in Mumbai and Pune, where the track was right in the middle of the city," says Ugale excitedly. The best thing about cycling, he believes, is that it helps you start and maintain great friendships. "When you're cycling in a group, it doesn't matter where the rider is from or what his/her background is. Everyone is equal on a cycle," he concludes.

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